North Sacramento is getting a gated tiny-home village built almost entirely on state money, with nearly $32 million headed to a Rio Linda Boulevard site that will cater to older adults and veterans dealing with behavioral-health challenges. The project at 2809 Rio Linda Blvd. will bring 100 private tiny homes for residents 55 and older, with roughly half of the units reserved for veterans. Developers and city staff say the compact homes will be paired with on-site case management, shared laundry and outdoor space, and they are targeting a January 2028 opening.
State awards Homekey+ funding
The California Department of Housing and Community Development folded the Rio Linda Senior Housing Project into a Homekey+ funding round that sends nearly $31.9 million in Prop-1 money to the site. The award will create 100 permanent supportive homes, including 49 veteran-designated units, according to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. That funding is part of a larger $109.6 million package supporting 278 supportive homes across four communities.
City adds $3M, reworks application
Even before the state cash came through, Sacramento had approved a joint application with developer Urban Capital LLC and committed $3 million in Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funds to bolster the project’s operating budget if the grant landed, per a City of Sacramento resolution. City records show the application was revised after feedback from HCD to increase the number of veteran units and to seek a larger Homekey+ award, with Urban Capital listed as co-applicant and John Vignocchi named as managing partner on filings.
Design, costs and timeline
Plans call for roughly 240-square-foot units that include kitchenettes and private bathrooms. Developer estimates and reporting put capital costs and construction far below typical apartment projects, with about $20.7 million in capital costs and roughly $207,000 per unit to build, according to The Sacramento Bee. The homes will be manufactured by Los Angeles-based Boss Homes. The site is slated to be gated and include shared storage, laundry facilities, a community garden and two small parks, with the developer still aiming to open the village by January 2028.
Neighbors, approvals and next steps
Not everyone in the area is sold on the idea. Neighbors have aired concerns in earlier planning stages about dropping a tiny-home village into North Sacramento, a debate documented by CBS Sacramento. Before any shovels hit the ground, the city still has to finalize a Homekey+ Standard Agreement with HCD and return to the council for any needed approvals, according to City of Sacramento filings.
